Las Vegas Barter Hours
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Las Vegas Barter Hours "En La Gente Confiamos" |
Barter Hours Memberships are only $5/year—and come with 4 free Barter Hours and a Members' Services Directory (2 Barter Hours for renewals). Do it now!
We'll be holding monthly Bartering and Trading Events, times and places 'to be announced' (suggestions? 426-1468). These bi-monthly, barter-only meetings (every other month, alternating with Regular Meetings) will be an opportunity to trade or barter without using cash. The purpose of the barter-only events is to "offer a marketplace where we can trade freely without the limitations of these difficult economic times. Everyone will feel confident that, regardless of their financial situation, this event will be affordable."
Bring your best items to trade or sell for Barter Hours! For more info, call Cordia at 426-1468.
Because our news media is biased these days, most of us do not know about the cases of poisoning by chemicals used to drill for gas and oil. These stories do not get released by our newspapers and radio news. We do not hear about the nurse who went into organ failure when she was assisting a gas/oil employee who had fallen into a vat of the chemicals used to drill for gas and oil. Merely by helping to remove his boots and clothing, she became extremely sick—and the worst part is that the oil company would not release any information about the chemicals in the vat. Even with hospital personnel begging for the names of the chemicals so they could save her life and the life of the employee who was brought in. Surely money makes some people in the world go round.
Do you ask yourself why or how did we come to this? Is it true that we have become almost totally materialistic? The disaster in the gulf with oil continuing to spill into the ocean should be telling us for certain that we need to make big changes in the way we are doing things. Gas and oil companies have their eyes on New Mexico now—we are next. Isn't it time to wean ourselves off oil? More oil and gas exploration when everything inside our heart is screaming "Stop the insanity". We can build a different future—without oil at the center. First we must think it. Instead of being stuck in the limited reality of "I need to drive my car," we can start reinforcing statements of "gas and oil are finished." We must close the door to oil and open our minds, so that our next strategy can quickly form. We can do this; making money from gas and oil is costing us way too much.
What about our materialism? If we look at the challenges facing us as opportunities for growth we come face to face with our relationship with money. "Financial gain, economic growth, fiscal responsibility, GNP" are some of the phrases that say "Money is what we base our lives on." Gas and oil companies are coming to New Mexico in swarms—for what? To keep profits up, to supply demand, to meet shareholders' expectations and on and on—it all comes down to making money. Does it make water, vegetables, health, satisfaction, relationships, peace of mind? No, it promises jobs, financial security and that is all. Do you believe in financial security? It is a myth. We have been taken in a little at a time for several generations and now we believe in financial security and all the myths that go along with it: "People with money are better people; Bad things don't happen to people with money; If we just have enough money we will be OK; If we have enough money we won't be afraid." You must be getting the gist. What can we do?—it's so big and so powerful, and we are so small and insignificant. Well maybe not... The most powerful thing we can do—and it will change everything—is to change the way we think about money. What we give our attention to gains strength. The more we want money, fear for lack of money, feel desperate for money—the stronger it becomes. We have the power to reduce its strangle hold on all of us. We have the power to shut down the corporate destruction—by changing our minds. It is simple but not at all easy—at first. As Barter members we can begin by practicing and discussing with each other. We have a committed group of people who want to share with each other—it's a good place to start. Please send your feedback to me about these ideas and I will share them at our next meeting on June 29th.
How do we reduce our obsession with money? How do we put money into a reasonable place in our lives, instead of as our master? Here are some ideas—please add yours to this list for the June 29th meeting:
I'm not the only one with these thoughts, am I? I would really like to get a lot of feedback, so don't be shy about expressing your feelings—I would not like to be the only one.
Come join the Northeast NM Permaculture Discussion Forum and contribute your permaculture ideas to the discussion begun by local permaculturist and barterer Lee Einer in May '09. With a little group effort we can make this a valuable local resource for creating sustainability.
If you're not familiar with the 'Wiki' concept, this is a form of discussion where any member can create new articles, and can add to or edit already-existing articles. In this way we add to each others' perspectives and knowledge—the resulting articles grow out of group dynamics and a synthesis of multiple perspectives instead of being one person's ideas all coming from a single limited viewpoint.
Don't be shy—we want to hear your ideas!
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| Barter Hours E-Mail List |
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or by E-Mail |
The Barter Hours E-Mail Trading List is working, with 44 members participating.
The List allows participating BH'ers to offer and make trades in real time, simply by sending one e-mail (the rest is automatic!).
To join the list, please contact Jack with your e-mail address and I'll sign you up.
If you're already signed up, USE THIS LINK TO POST EMAIL TO TRADING LIST.
